Midnight Caller - By Diane Burke Page 0,48
a million times. I can’t tell you his name. It’s part of an ongoing investigation.”
“I don’t care about your investigation. Tell me. I need to know his name.” She couldn’t keep the rage and grief out of her voice.
“Please, Erin, I can’t.”
“You mean you won’t.” She jumped up and stormed across the yard.
“Wait!” He caught up with her, grabbed her arm and spun her to face him. “What good would it do if I did?”
“Maybe I know him. Maybe I can talk to him. Maybe he’ll tell me things he won’t tell the police. Not everybody likes to spill their guts to men in blue, you know.” She hugged her arms tightly across her chest, not sure whether she was holding in the pain or trying to keep it out.
“Even if I could tell you, I wouldn’t. Do you think I want you questioning potential suspects?” He ran his hand over his head. “Don’t you get it? You’re in danger. You fit the profile of the women being killed. The anonymous phone calls. The dead rose and poem. A single mom of a handicapped kid.” The anger and frustration in his voice rose with every word. “And you want to go out and stir things up by playing cop? What’s the matter with you? Why don’t you just paint a huge target on your back?”
“Well, somebody has to do something. It’s obvious you’re not getting anywhere.”
An angry flush tinged his skin. His lips thinned into a grim slash across his face. “That’s not fair.”
Deep inside she knew he was right. She was being terribly unfair, but she couldn’t seem to stop. “Maybe this Mystery Man you’re protecting killed her.”
“I don’t think so.”
“You don’t think so? You! Mr. Macho Cop. Mr. Know-It-All. How do you know he isn’t the one? How? And if he isn’t, then who is?”
“I don’t know. Okay?” he yelled back. “Are you happy now? I don’t have a clue and it’s killing me to feel so powerless.”
They glared at each other, hands on hips, chests heaving with the exertion of their argument. Tony recovered first. He clenched his fists at his sides and took several deep breaths. When he looked up, his eyes held compassion. His voice rang steady and calm. “If I could bring her back, Erin, I would. But I can’t.” His gaze locked with hers. “The only thing I can do now is find her killer.” He stepped closer. “I’m so sorry. I tried to find her in time. I did everything humanly possible to bring her home.”
Tears spilled from Erin’s eyes and flowed like a twisting river down her cheeks. “I know,” she whispered. And she did know it. He had worked day and night to try and find Carol. So why was she lashing out at the one person who brought her the most comfort?
“I promise you, I’m fully investigating this man,” Tony said. “Just because I don’t think he did it, doesn’t mean I’m not turning over every rock and stone to prove it one way or the other.”
She nodded and hung her head.
“You need to trust me. Let me do my job.” Tony clasped her hand and led her back to the porch steps. When she was seated, he stared down at her. “Meanwhile, you need to continue to keep your guard up. Keep your doors and windows locked. Don’t go anywhere alone. And call me immediately if anything out of the ordinary happens. I don’t care how inconsequential you think it is.”
“Do you think Jack and Tess are in danger?” She could barely put the terrifying thought into words.
“No.” He traced his fingers across her cheek. “So far, it appears he’s only interested in the mothers.”
“Lucky me.”
Tony’s cell phone rang. He answered it, mumbled a word or two and slid it back into his pocket. “I have to go.” He pressed his lips against her forehead. “Try and get some rest. I’ll stop by tomorrow.”
She patted his hand resting on her shoulder, smiled and said, “Stay safe.” No sooner had the words escaped her lips then a feeling of déjà vu washed over her. She used to speak those words every night to her father as he left for work. History repeating itself. A shudder raced down her spine.
Erin remained on the porch steps after he left. The clouds on the horizon darkened and multiplied. The underside of the leaves danced in the breeze. A low, distant rumbling of thunder filled the air.
Finally, here comes the rain.
THIRTEEN
Three days later
The